Redemption

by Dexx Peay

  We got to Mom’s house and she was finishing up dinner when we walked in. She walked over and gave both her boys hugs and kisses.

  “Welcome home,” she whispered as we all held each other.

  “I love you mom. Now, what’s for dinner?” I said to break the tender moment before Mom started to cry.

  “Chicken casserole,” she replied.

  “Yum!” Dalton said.

  Dalton and I took a seat on the couch until the food was complete. He turned the TV to cartoons. I looked down at my phone and Trey messaged me.

  Trey: When you coming over? My family is really worried.

  Me: I just got to mom’s house. After dinner I’ll be there.

  Trey: Can we meet somewhere? Dad doesn’t want Mom around this.

  Me: Think we can use the restaurant to meet with Trey and his dad?

  Marcus: That’s fine.

  Me: I’ll pick you up when I’m done here.

  Me: Carrot Cake. I’ll text you later.

  Mom finished dinner and fixed us both a plate. I missed Mom’s cooking and wanted to savor it, but I was in a rush.

  “You have got to stop eating like that Dylan, it’s going to catch up with you one of these days,” Mom cautioned.

  If I had the metabolism of my dad, then I wouldn’t have to worry about it, I thought. Small reminder that I wouldn’t inherit anything my parents had to offer.

  “Thanks for the food Mom,” I said.

  I got up, rushed to the kitchen and put my plate in the sink. Then threw my jacket on.

  “Going somewhere honey?” Mom asked.

  Yep, going to save the world again, I thought.

  “Going to Marcus’s house. I’m staying at Dad’s tonight but I’ll be back in the morning. I walked to Mom, gave her a kiss on the cheek and started for the door.

  “I swear you two might as well be brothers,” she said.

  I paused.

  “What did you say mom?”

  “As much time as the two of you spend together, you might as well be brothers.”

  This whole Marcus and I are brothers thing is getting way too eerie. Life was crazy.

  Just wished I had more answers.

  “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

  “See ya Dylan,” Dalton said as I closed the door.

  I drove to Marcus’s house. We waited until it was completely closed and once the coast was clear, we hit up Trey and told him to meet us there. Marcus and I got there first. Moments later Trey and his dad showed up. Marcus opened the door for them. Anyone who paid attention could tell Trey and his dad weren’t related. His dad was small and short, compared to Trey’s massive stature. Trey had brown hair and his dad had bright red hair and blue eyes. I was seated up on the counter, something I would never do if Mr. Peterson were around. I jumped down when they came in. Mr. Elliot walked up to the two us and shook our hands.

  “Marcus, Dylan,” he greeted. We greeted back. “Nice to see you boys again, although I never thought that we’d be sitting here under these circumstances. How long have you guys had your powers?”

  “Senior year for the both of us,” I said. I looked at Trey. “Sorry I didn’t say anything Trey.”

  “No, I understand,” he replied.

  Marcus walked over to a table and started taking down some chairs.

  “This certainly explains why you were never home Mr. Elliot,” Marcus said. He laughed. We all took a seat.

  “What are your powers?” he asked.

  “I can fly and I have fire,” Marcus said.

  “Fire. Cool, cool,” he whispered. “Dylan?”

  “I have ice, but I can’t fly,” Dylan said.

  Mr. Elliot cocked his head to the side and looked around the table.

  “Why can’t you fly? Flying is a standard ability, everyone can fly.”

  “I’m not sure. I’ve tried and for some reason I just can’t. But...there is something else I can do….” I looked at Marcus. “Something we can both do.”

  I looked at Trey and his body started to lift out of the seat and float.

  “Whoa what’s going on?” he squealed.

  His body started to float towards the ceiling and I let him go. He screamed, and right before Trey hit the table; Marcus stood up, stuck his hand in front of his body and froze him before lowering him to the ground.

  “How...no way, it is true...” Mr. Elliot said under his breath.

  Trey took his seat. “Please don’t do that again,” he cried.

  “Is this normal?” I asked.

  “Normal? Is any of this normal?” Mr. Elliot replied.

  “No — but for us, is this normal?” Marcus asked once more.

  “I’ve heard rumors but I’ve never came across one,” he said.

  He was shocked and just kept shaking his head.

  “Came across what?” Marcus said.

  “How much do you guys know?” Mr. Elliot asked.

  He stood up and started to pace. My eyes followed his every step.

  “We have been learning as we go. I have some journals my dad left me, my real dad that is. We’ve been reading them and we have friends as well that have been filling us in on what’s not in the journals. We’re doing our best to learn as much as possible,” Marcus said.

  He got up from the table and took a seat on one of the stools near the bar.

  “You guys know about the war?” he asked.

  “Between the planets Qihar and Xarpore that landed up on this planet? Yeah we know about it,” I said.

  “So you guys know about the eleven families that escaped and kept our people alive?”

  “Yeah, I’m part of the Shangaleese family,” Marcus added.

  “You guys have been learning that’s good,” he said.

  He voice was low. I could tell he was nervous about something and in deep thought at the same time.

  “But you guys don’t know why you have the ability to move objects with your mind?”

  “Haven’t been able to figure that one out yet,” I said.

  “Hmmm...You guys are what they call Stars.” Mr. Elliot said.

  “Stars…?” Marcus said.

  “In the Mocra Galaxy there are four planets,” Mr. Elliot began.

  “Yes,” I chimed in.

  “The four planets of that solar system are so close that you can see them very clear with the naked eye. Qihar was last in the lineup. Xarpore was next. Vandakhore was second and first was Xioh. There was something that separated Vandakhore and Xarpore. Some say it was some sort of radiation, some glowing light that was visible from both planets.

  Well when then eleven families left our home planet they had to pass that light which disappeared after that. They say that those families’ abilities became stronger and they gained an additional ability—”

  Marcus interrupted. “Telekinesis.”

  Mr. Elliot looked at Marcus. “Telekinesis.”

  “This is too much for me to process,” Trey said.

  “According to the story, every eleventh generation of the eleven families would be stronger and have the ability of telekinesis,” he said.

  The more I found out, the harder it was to process that this was really my life.

  “So why are they, I mean we, called Stars?” I asked.

  “The people of Vandakhore allegedly named them that because they looked like shooting stars coming out the sky when they landed on the planet.”

  “So are we naturally stronger than others?” Marcus asked.

  “Correct,” Mr. Elliot said. “Dylan, I can’t believe your parents never mentioned any of this to you.”

  Everyone stopped and looked at me. I was at a lost for words.

  “My dad tries to avoid it as much as possible when I ask him about it.”

  I had to lie.

  I shot a look at Marcus and he responded with a dark look in his eyes glaring back at me.

  I looked away.

  “So what is your power?” I asked.

  “Wind,” h
e said. “Do… you guys mind?” he pointed to his right arm.

  Marcus jumped off the counter. “Sure.”

  He pulled his sleeve up. I walked next to Marcus and did the same. He started to examine pulling and turning our arms around. Trey got up and gazed at our arms as well. Marcus’s marking was slightly longer than mine. Both had grown since we first got them.

  “You guys are new at this I see,” Mr. Elliot said. He took his shirt off. His markings started at his wrist and worked its way up past the elbow circling all around the arm. Ours was just on one side for the moment. We both started to examine Mr. Elliot’s arm. His tribal markings were different than ours.

  “Why’s that different?” I pointed to his and then to mine.

  He looked at mine again. “You see the way they start to branch off?”

  “Yeah.”

  “They always branch off and go up, never down; however you guys’ markings will branch up and down. So when its grows it will take up more surface area than most.”

  “Because we are Stars?” Marcus lowered his sleeve.

  Mr. Elliot nodded. I lowered mine and he threw his shirt back on.

  “So about Crystal?” Marcus said.

  “Right,” Mr. Elliot said. He started to pace again. “Crystal was stationed in Germany. I don’t know what has happened but I have not heard from her in six weeks. With us being what we are, being in constant communication is a must. Remember that. I know that being in the military can be hard and overseas can hinder communication a bit but Crystal would never go this long without calling me. All her social media accounts and emails have been deactivated. This is why I think someone has done something to her.”

  “Wait a minute,” Marcus jumped down. “I know I haven’t been at this a long time but that doesn’t sound like something Qihar would do. I thought they just killed us and left the body. Why would they go through all that trouble if they just wanted her dead?” He started to pace and rub his chin.

  “What are you getting at Marcus?” I asked.

  Mr. Elliot looked at Marcus with a grin in his eyes.

  “What if this time Qihar didn’t do this?”

  “I’m not following?”

  “Think about it Dylan. Crystal is in the Army and stationed overseas. All communication has been cut off with her family back in the States, and she has powers. Mr. Elliot, can our powers be traced back to our blood?”

  “Last I checked, no. But that was years ago. Who’s to say they haven’t found some way to trace it with the way technology is going?” he answered.

  “So the government has her?” I asked.

  Mr. Elliot faced me. “I think so.”

  “So you want to fight the government Dad?” Trey said anxiously.

  “I will do anything to get my baby girl back and make them wish they never even signed her up.”

  Mr. Elliot had the look of evil in his eyes only, they turned white for a moment. His fist started to ball up.

  He took a breath and released them.

  “I’m not too sure about going up against the Army you guys. We may have powers but we are not invincible last time I checked. They have guns, and bazookas and what not,” I cautioned.

  “First we need to find out if they do have her and where. From there we can come up with a plan. I just need to know if you guys will aid me?” he asked.

  He was sincere and I couldn’t tell him no. I looked at Marcus and he looked at me.

  “We’re in,” Marcus said.

  “Thank you boys,” he said. “I will investigate more and hopefully come up with something. For now, try not to worry, watch your backs and who you let into your lives. Enjoy your break and spend as much time with your families as possible.”

  We all left.

  I took Marcus back home and I went to Dad’s house. I couldn’t sleep much that night so I went outside and just observed the stars. I jumped around trying to fly before I went back into the house and that was a fail. I still couldn’t figure out why I couldn’t fly. I had to tell Marcus soon, by the look he gave me during the meeting, it was obvious he didn’t know about us being brothers.

  It was the day after Christmas. The house was covered with new toys for Katie and the front lawn had two giant trash bags full of wrapping paper. I didn’t ask for anything because I wanted my parents to focus more on Elias and Katie. They surprised me and got me a pair of the Nike Air Max.

  We had Christmas dinner with the Perry’s this year. It was a first. Mr. Perry was even there. Dylan and Dalton got to see their family together for the holidays. Thought that was good on their part.

  Mr. Elliot had been keeping in constant communication with us. There was still no update as to the whereabouts of Crystal. Hudson and Hachi were aware of the situation and were willing to help out. I still had faith she was safe for now.

  Monica and I have been working at the restaurant over the break. I’ve been flirting but not purposely. She never bit back, or asked me about Delilah and I never asked her about what’s his name.

  Today I was going to see Dylan and Diana. They were at his dad’s house. When I walked in, Dylan was in the kitchen making homemade hot chocolate.

  “Marcus! Hey sugar,” Diana called from the living room.

  Dylan laughed. “Yo Marc, help me out,” he said. I grabbed a cup and he had two.

  We walked into the living room and Diana was on the couch wrapped in a blanket. Dylan handed her a cup and sat next to her. I sat on the opposite side.

  “Freezing,” she mumbled.

  Dylan coughed. She turned to face him and he gave me a look out the corner of his eye. I knew what he wanted. I touched the blanket, made sure she didn’t see and warmed it up.

  She quickly relaxed.

  “What have my favorite boys been up too?” She asked.

  “Ready to finish school,” Dylan said.

  “Did Dylan tell you he is one of those fraternity boys you see on all those movies where they’re all drunk and skip classes on a regular?” I joked.

  She laughed then looked at Dylan. His face was serious. Diana looked at me then back at Dylan.

  “Wait, he’s serious...you’re a frat boy? No Way!” She screamed. “Which one?”

  “Xi Beta Kappa,” he said.

  “Only the hottest fraternity ever,” she said.

  Her face lit up and suddenly she couldn’t keep her hands off Dylan.

  “So are we going to watch a movie or what?” Dylan asked.

  Glad he cut that short and snapped her back to reality. Diana jumped up and grabbed her small DVD case off the floor. Clearly she was about to make her own movie, titled The Frat Boy and the Vixen.

  “So I’m thinking X-Men, I Am Number Four, or AVP?”

  Dylan looked at me and I knew what he was thinking.

  “Do you have any comedies?” I asked.

  “Umm… let me see.”

  She started looking through her case some more. She found a comedy and put the movie on. Right when the movie started, Dylan’s phone started to ring. He grabbed it and looked at it.

  “I have to take this call,” he said. “Marcus.”

  I got up and started following him to the back.

  “You guys both need to talk?” Diana fussed.

  “Important business. We’ll make it quick,” I said.

  I walked into the room, closed and locked the door. Dylan put the phone on speaker.

  “Marcus is here too,” Dylan said.

  “Good afternoon boys, hope you two enjoyed your holiday,” Mr. Elliot said. “Now, time to get to business. I have an old friend who also has a daughter who he thinks has gone missing. He only stays a couple hours away. He is on his way into town. Do you think you guys will be willing to meet at his hotel downtown so we can all talk more?”

  “We’ll be there,” Dylan said.

  He hung the phone up and took a seat on the bed.

  “So something is really happening to our people,” Dylan said.

  “We’re going
to find out what’s going on,” I replied. “As long as we have each other’s back, we’ll be fine, I promise.” Dylan looked so defeated. “Everything alright?”

  “Yeah, I just… nothing I’ll be fine. Let’s get back out there to Diana before she breaks this door down and has her way with the both of us,” he joked.

  He got up and walked out the room. I followed.

  During the movie, I could tell Dylan was distracted. He didn’t laugh or even crack a smile. Diana and I couldn’t stop laughing. We said our “see you laters” and she left once the movie was done. Dylan and I stopped by the restaurant to grab a bite to eat before heading over to the hotel.

  We sat outside the parking lot munching on burgers and fries. Dylan hadn’t said much of anything since the phone call. He didn’t want to talk and I didn’t want to upset him. When he’s ready, he’ll tell me.

  He tells me everything.

  After stuffing our faces and sitting in silence, Mr. Elliot knocked on the window on the driver side, which startled Dylan since he had began to doze off. Mr. Elliot waved for us to follow him. We got out the car and walked upstairs. It was one of those hotels that had all the entrances to the rooms outside. The wind was heavy and the night was dark and snowy. We stopped in front of room 212 and Mr. Elliot knocked.

  When the door opened, we were greeted by a deep bearish voice. The man who answered not only had the voice of bear but also looked like one. He was tall, very dark, and muscular. The light from his lamp bounced off his bald head.